In previous work, a new class of synthesized bioactive compounds of Morita-Baylis-Hillman adducts (MBH) showed an antioxidant and anti melanogensis activity [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23]. Accordingly, in the present work the relationship between antifungal activity and the responsible chemical function of MBH adducts and their derivatives (alcohols, acetates, phosphonates and hydrazono phosphonates) was investigated against plant pathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium occitanis, Trichoderma reesei, Stachybotrys microspora, Fusarium solani, Trichoderma parceramosum, fusarium aethiopicum, Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus avus using the agar diffusion method. Results showed acetates displayed varying degrees of antifungal activity against several fungi tested, while just one alcohol compound showed lower activity. The derivative with ve carbon (2g) was the most powerful with an inhibitor growth zone diameter of 4.75 ÷ 0.

Mountain ecosystems provide an opportunity to investigate how organisms respond to different climatic patterns. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the content of usnic acid (UA) per mass unit and the total extract yield of Usnea amblyoclada (Müll. Arg.) Zahlbr. would increase in exposed microsites (i.e., northern and at microsites) and at higher elevations (i.e., 1800 m.a.s.l. and 2100 m.a.s.l.). A total of 27 U. amblyoclada extract samples were analyzed. Generalized linear models revealed a signi cant difference in UA concentration among elevations (p > 0.01). Tukey's post-hoc test indicated that UA concentration was signi cantly lower at higher elevations (i.e., between 900 and 2100 m.a.s.l.), with no signi cant differences observed between the 1800 m.a.s.l. and 900 m.a.s.l. elevations, nor between the 1800 and 2100 m.a.s.l. elevations. Our results suggest that temperature is the primary driver of UA content in U. amblyoclada, as UA concentration was lower in samples from higher elevations compared to those from lower elevations.

Lichens produce diverse secondary metabolites. A diversity of these compounds is synthesized by fungal polyketide synthases (PKSs). In this study, we catalogued the PKS genes from Xanthoparmelia taractica, a lichen with global distribution. To accomplish this, we isolated the symbionts to sequence the whole genome of the mycobiont and established an in vitro co-culture system for this lichen. We also added an endolichenic fungus, Coniochaeta fibrosae, to this co-culture to evaluate its effect on lichen symbiosis. The genome of the mycobiont X. taractica was around 43.1 Mb with 10,730 ORFs. Twenty-eight PKS genes were identified in the genome. These included 27 Type I and one Type III gene. Except for three PKS genes, XTPKS12, XTPKS18, and XTPKS22, the function of the majority of PKS genes remained unknown. We selected these genes for the expression analyses using a co-culture system. The co-culture system that included the mycobiont and the photobiont showed an early stage of lichenization because the fungi produced a hyphal network connecting and penetrating the algal cells. Also, XTPKS12 was down-regulated and XTPKS18 and XTPKS22 were modestly up-regulated. As predicted, C. fibrosae did not participate in the symbiosis. This study reconfirms that Type I is the most dominant PKS gene in lichenized fungi and the function of these genes might be influenced by symbiosis.

Taxonomy of Pseudohydnum gelatinosum and its sister taxa is revised via morphological data and a four-gene dataset (ITS, nc LSU rDNA, TEF1, RPB1). Identity of P. gelatinosum and Tremellodon pusillus is re-established based on newly collected and sequenced material from their type localities. Pseudohydnum alienum from Europe; P. umbrosum from temperate East Asia; P. cystidiatum, P. meridianum, and P. placibile from Vietnam; and P. omnipavum from North America are described as new to science; P. translucens and P. brunneiceps from East Asia are redescribed. Most Pseudohydnum collections from North America belong to P. gelatinosum ssp. pusillum. A significant divergence of TEF1 sequences in P. gelatinosum is discussed.

During 2018–2021, a survey was conducted in rainfed fig (Ficus carica L.) orchards throughout the Fars Province of Iran to investigate the occurrence of canker diseases, and to identify the causal organisms. Morphological and cultural characteristics, as well as multilocus phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), revealed that the recovered isolates from the infected fig trees clustered in clade 3 of Neocosmospora (Nectriaceae), including N. metavorans, and a new taxon described here as N. caricae sp. nov. Neocosmospora caricae is characterised by falcate, multiseptate, gently dorsoventrally curved macroconidia with poorly developed foot-shaped basal cells, ovoid, aseptate microconidia that cluster in false heads, and abundant terminal or intercalary chlamydospores. Pathogenicity tests indicated that isolates of both Neocosmospora species were pathogenic, causing stem canker and wood discolouration on fig saplings of “Sabz” and “Shah Anjeer” cultivars. The present study adds to existing knowledge on the aetiology of fig stem and trunk canker, and may provide essential information for developing effective integrated management strategies against canker diseases affecting fig orchards in Iran.